Headspacer machine



c. HAUSEN ETAL 3,071,169

HEADSPACER MACHINE Jan. 1, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13, 1959 INVENTORS. Edy/ 7 57720672, BY Cari Bowen,

Jan. 1, 1963 c. HAUSEN ETAL 3,071,169

HEADSPACER MACHINE Filed April 15, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 rNvENToRs. 12a [7 jfizlZf/Z/ BY Car flamerz,

Jan. 1, 1963 c. HAUSEN ETAL HEADSPACER MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Egg/ 1. gm/Z, BY QzrZ flawem INV NTORS- I I I Filed April 15, 1959 Jan. 1, 1963 c. HAUSEN ETAL 3,071,169

HEADSPACER MACHINE Filed April 13, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill/l/l BY fldwm,

atent Ofifice 3,@7l,l5 Patented Jan. 1, 1953 3,671,169 HEADSPAQER MACHINE Carl Hansen, Barrington, and Ray M. Smith, Elinhurst,

lib, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Continental Earl Company, inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Elie-d Apr. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 805,893 filairns. (Cl. 141-80) This invention relates to innovations and improvements in headspacer or topping machines for use in commercial packing or canning lines. Such machines operate to press down the contents which have been filled into jars, cans or other containers, preliminary to the application of closure caps, lids, or other sealing closures, so as to displace some of the fluid contents from the containers resulting in a space of definite volume being formed between the level of the contents and the top of the containers; said space being called the headspace.

Machines of the general type to which the present invention is directed are disclosed, for example, in Davies Patents 2,367,387 and 2,370,292.

As pointed out in these patents, and as it well known in the packing and canning industry, after glass jars, metal cans or other containers have been filled with fruits or vegetables, particularly those products which contain large solid pieces covered with a syrup or brine, e.g. canned peaches, beets, pickles, etc., it is usually necessary to gently press the solid pieces downwardly so that they do not project above the top of the container and so as to provide a headspace, depending upon the particular product being packed. Headspaces are required, and the amount thereof is rather critical when packaging in glass containers wherein the air in the headspace is displaced by steam and the latter is condensed after the closure caps has been sealed in place. Upon condensation a vacuum is created in the headspace which perfects and maintains the hermetic seal already formed.

In a commercial packing line, a headspacer machine will usually be disposed in series relationship between a container filling machine and the capping or closure-applying machine so that each container is in sequence filled, headspaced, and then capped or closed.

The object of the present invention is to provide new and improved headspacer or topping machines incorporating certain new and useful improvements and innovations with respect to the following desirable features of construction and operation: the plungers are positively controlled and maintained in the downward facing position at all times; accurate adjustment and operation in all phases are maintained during long production runs; quick change-overs can be made when it is necessary to change over from handling containers of a particular diameter and height to those of different diameter and/or height; the machine is conveniently and easily adjusted with accuracy in a short time; the headspace plungers may be very readily changed by simple operation of a wedge lock device.

Certain other improvements, advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from the description given hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention, reference may now be had to the following detailed description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a headspacer or topping machine constituting one embodiment of the invention, certain parts being broken away and certain associated apparatus being indicated in broken line;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine as viewed from the left in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a top plan View of a portion of the machine taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with certain parts being broken away or shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but on larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a detail View, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the headspacer driver arm taken generaly on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the upper headspacer assembly, certain parts of the driving mechanism being broken away;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7, certain parts being shown in elevation;

FIG. 9 is a detail sectional View on enlarged scale taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the upper headspacer assembly taken on line 10l0 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view on enlarged scale taken on line 1111 of FIG. '10 showing the mounting for one of the headspacer plungers; and

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view showing the mounting for dual headspacer plungers.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 the headspacer or topping machine shown in the drawings is composed of the following main sub-assemblies: a supporting frame 5; a power supply and drive mechanism 6; a container screw feed mechanism 7 for controllably feeding containers through the machine; an articulated drive arm assembly 8 for driving the headspacer assembly in synchronism with the screw feed mechanism 7; and, the plunger control and actuating assembly 10. i

The over-all or general operation of the topping or headspacer machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows: a single file procession of containers, e.g. glass jars, is

' continuously delivered from a filling machine (not shown) by means of the conveyor indicated in broken line at ll. into the headspacer machine on the right-hand side thereof as viewed in FIG. 1. The conveyor 11 extends through the machine and may or may not be driven from the headspacer machine as explained below. As the filled containers enter the headspacer machine they are picked up by the worm or screw of the mechanism 7 which serves to convey the containers through the machine in accurate synchronism with the operation of the headspacer assembly 10. Accordingly, as each container comes under the headspacer 10, one of the headspace plungers 9 enters into the top of the container and presses down the contents therein creating a headspace of accurately determined size or depth. The assembly lil is lowered in operation.

Frame 5 comprises a platform 15 supported from the corners by legs lid-i6 provided with adjustable leveling feet of known type. An electric motor 17 (FIG. 1) is supported underneath the platform 15 by means of a mounting bracket 18 so as to tilt about a horizontal support rod 20. The motor 17 may have a split pulley wheel 21 mounted on one end of the rotor shaft over which a V-belt or timing chain 22-22 runs, with the opposite end thereof running over a pulley 23 on a speed reducer unit 24 of known type. As is well understood, by adjustably spacing the two halves of the drive pulley 21 its effective size may be varied, thereby providing for desired changes in speed of the headspacer machine. It will be seen that the motor 17 may be tilted so as to adjust the tightness of the chain or belt 22 as required.

The speed reducer unit 24 may, for example, give a five to one speed reduction. It is shown having an output drive shaft 25 projecting from opposite sides and provided on opposite ends with sprocket wheels 26 and 27 (FIG. 1). The speed reducer unit 24 is suitably supported underneath the platform 15 in a known manner. Optionally, a second speed reducer unit 28 of known Q3 type is provided below unit 24 which may also provide a speed reduction of five to one. This second speed reducer unit 23 is driven from the sprocket wheel 27 by means of a chain 30 which runs over the drive sprocket 31 mounted on the power input shaft 32 of the unit 28. The power output shaft 35 of the unit 28 carries a drive sprocket 34 by means of which the conveyor 11 is driven, if desired. Thus, a chain indicated in broken line at 35 in RIG. 1 runs over the sprocket 34 and at the pposite end runs over a sprocket 36 which serves to drive the pulley 37 over which the conveyor 11 runs. In certain instances the conveyorli will be part of a packing line conveyor so that it is unnecessary to drive it from a speed reducer unit such as 28.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the power supply and driving mechanism 6 for the topping machine may be comprised of the foregoing or other known conventional components which are available commercially, and that the same may be replaced by other equal or comparable arrangements.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the container feed mechanism 7 includes a screw or worm 46) which extends parallel to, and cooperates with, the conveyor 11. The conveyor 11 normally is not changed or shifted once it is set up. In order to accommodate containers of different diameters, it is necessary that the path of the centers of the containers be adjustable so that it can be shifted to be in line with the center lines of the plungers for each of the various sizes of containers normally encountered. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary that the screw feed mechanism 7 be readily adjustable toward and away from the center line of the conveyor 11. This movement is accomplished in a very satisfactory manner by supporting the screw housing 41 adjacent its opposite ends, and on opposite sides of the platform 15, by means of brackets 42 and 43 (FIG. 1).

The bracket 42 is supported on the underside at the rear and front thereof, on the upper ends of side links 44 and 45 respectively (FIG. 2), the latter link being in the form of a bell crank lever (FIG. 2). Each of thelinks 44 and 45 has an eye integrally formed on its upper end by which it may be pivotally connected to the bracket plate 42 in the manner indicated (i.e. nut and bolt), through openings provided in the underside of the bracket 42. The links 44 and 45 are pivotally mounted on their bottom ends, also in the form of integral eyes or hubs 46 and 47, to the lower ends of vertical supports 48 and 49, respectively (FIG. 2). The latter supports are attached at their upper ends to the adjacent side of the platform 15 and have eyes 50 and 51, respectively (FIG. 1), formed on their lower ends.

The bracket 42 is provided with a recessed arcuate slot 52 which accommodates a clamping bolt 53 projectin into a tapped hole in a stationary block 54 integrally formed on the platform or casting 15. It will be seen that in the position shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 42 and the screw feed assembly 7 are in their forward-most (left most as viewed in FIG. 2) position so that the screw 40 is in its closest position to the center line of the conveyor 11. This will be apparent from the fact that the rear end of the slot 52 engages the bolt 53. By loosening the bolt 53 (and a corresponding bolt provided on the opposite side of the machine) the container screw feed assembly 7 may be shifted backwards, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 2. The limit of rearward movement or adjustment is reached when the front end of the slot 52 engages the bolt 53.

The screw housing bracket 43 on the right-hand side of the machine (as viewed in FIG. 1) is supported from the adjacent side of the frame in the same manner as the bracket 42 is supported on the left-hand side.

The links 44 and 45 are parallel to each other and are of equal length between their upper and lower pivot points. Likewise the corresponding links on the opposite sides for supporting the bracket 43 are parallel to each other and of equal length between upper and lower pivot points. This parallelism is maintained at the top by the brackets 42 and 43, respectively, and the screw housing 41, and it is maintained at the bottom by means of a tie or connecting rod 55 which at one end is supported in an eye 56 integrally formed on the outer or lower end of the bell crank link and at the opposite end is similarly supported in an eye on the end of the corresponding bell crank link. It will be seen that the stabilizing rod serves to rigidly interconnect the projecting ends of the front bell crank links and act to maintain these links in alignment so that the container screw feed as sembly 7 over the conveyor it shifts or moves the same amount at both ends and is at all times maintained parallel with the centerline of the conveyor 11.

Both the container screw feed mechanism 7 and the plunger control and actuating assembly it? are driven from the power take-off sprocket 26 (FIG. 1) of the speed reducer mechanism 24. A chain 57 runs over the drive sprocket 26 at the bottom and over a sprocket 58 at the top. The sprocket 58 is part of a slip clutch 59 (FIG. 4) which may be of the spring-loaded slip type. Such a clutch is of known type and will slip when loaded beyond a preadjusted setting. The sprocket 58 is carried on one clutch part fiiia which is connected by springloaded dete-nts to a clutch part 60b which is locked to a drive shaft 61. The clutch section 60a is rotatable on the clutch section 60b when the clutch is overloaded.

The shaft 61 extends through the clutch 59 on both sides thereof. As will be described presently, the shaft 61 serves as the drive shaft for both the screw feed mechanism 7 and the plunger control and actuating mechanism 10. If for any reason a stoppage occurs in either of these mechanisms, the clutch assembly 6% permits the sprocket 58 to keep turning without driving the shaft 61 which is temporarily prevented from turning.

in order that the container screw feed assembly may be adjusted without having to adjust the length (i.e. tightness or looseness) of the drive chain 57', the design is such that the distance between the of the drive shaft '61 and the center of the drive sprocket is equal to the effective lengths of the links 44 and Referring to FIG. 2 the axis of the shaft is designated at A and an alternate position of the axis is indicated at A. The center of the sprocket 26 is designated at C. it will be seen that the distance AC equals the effective lengths a, d of the links 44 and 45. Because of this arrangement, the mechanism 7 may be shifted without changing the length of the chain 57, thereby avoiding loss of time that would be involved in making such a change.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the shaft 61 is supported or journaled at the left end in the sleeve insert of a bearing 62 integrally formed on one side of the bracket plate 42. On its right-hand end, the shaft 61 is journaled in a sleeve insert of a bearing 64 integrally formed on the outer end of a bracket 65 integrally formed on and projecting rearwardly from the housing 41 for the screw 40 (FIG. 3).

On its left end, the shaft 61 carries a pinion gear 67 which meshes with the outer gear wheel 63 of an adjustable gear of the type wherein the outer gear Wheel 6 is adjustable relative to its inner support hub 7%. This hub 70 has a flange 71 on one side or end which flange is provided with a pair of elongated arcuate slots 72 and 73. The heads of a pair of clam ing cap screws BL-74 engage the face of the flange 71 and project through slots 72 and 73 into tapped holes provided therefor in the ring gear 58. The hub i s is journaled on a supporting shaft projecting from the bracket 42. it will be seen that by loosening the bolts 74- it is possible to provide for relative movement between the gear 68 and the supporting hub iii. However, when the cap screws 74 are tightened, then the ring gear as and the hub 75 turn as a unit. The purpose of this particular construction the is to permit the ready adjustment of the worm or screw mechanism as will be explained hereinafter.

Still referring to PEG. 4, the hub 70 has integrally formed on the right-hand side thereof an extension 7 6 on which is keyed a pulley 77 over which runs a timing belt 78. At the opposite end runs the belt 78 over a timing pulley or sprocket 7%. In between the pulley 76 and the pulley "1'? there is mounted a take-up or idler pulley 81 which is suitably su ported on a stub shaft 81.

The timing pulley "7% is mounted and secured on drive shaft d2 which is journaled in a pair of sleeve bearings 33 and -4 fitted into opposite ends of a suporting sleeve integrally formed on the casting 41. At its righthand end the shaft 82. carries a collar 86 which is secured to the shaft 32 by means of a pin 87. The right-hand end of the shaft 82 projects into a hole coaxially formed in the container feed screw or worm 88.

The collar 86 fits up against the adjacent flanged end or" the sleeve bearing 84 on one side and on the other side engages the adjacent end of the worm $3, as shown. This end of the worm 88 is provided with a key-way 9t) (1 16. 3) extending diametrically across the face thereof for receiving a key 91 extending diametrically across the adjacent face of the collar as. It will be seen that when the pulley 79 turns, it carries with it the shaft 82 to which the collar as is secured. By reason of the key 91 fitting in the key-way 90, the shaft 82 turns the screw 88.

At its opposite end (the right-hand end as viewed in FEGS. 3 and 4) the worm or screw 88 is supported on a short shaft 93 which is journaled in a bearing sleeve 94 suitably mounted in a journal &5 integrally formed on the end of the casting 41. The shaft 93 extends into a hole coaxially formed in the worm 88 as indicated. Intermediate its ends the shaft 93 carries a collar member 97, the right-hand side of which abuts against the end of the bearing sleeve 94, and the left-hand side of rhich fits against the adjacent end of the worm 83. The

end of the worm is provided with a diametrio slot 93 if 3) for receiving the diametrically aligned key i formed on the side of the collar 97. the shaft 93 by means of a set screw 1% which may be readily loosened or tightened as by means of an Allen wrench.

Worms or screws having different pitches and outside diameters may be used depending upon the sizes of done by first loosening the set screw res and withdrawi the shaft 93 from the right end either completely, or until the inner end of the shaft 93 clears the collar 97. The collar $7 may then be removed toward the front of the housing 4-1 (which is Open) from between the end of the worm and the end of the sleeve bearing Wt. After the collar 97 is removed it will be seen then that the worm 83 may be shifted lengthwise or coaxially to the right (as viewed in FIG. 3), until its end separates from the key $1. This permits the entire worm 83 to be lifted out. Another worm 3?, may be put in place by simply reversing the removal procedure described. That is, the worm 8?; is slipped into place and then is moved coaxially to the left so that the key-way 9a in its left end engages the key 91 on the collar 86. This leaves room at the right-hand end to replace the collar 97 between the end of the worm and the end of the bearing sleeve 9 1. With the collar 97 in place, the shaft 93; is then inserted and the set screw 1% tightened. If desired, worms 8% may be interchange in a matter of a minute or so. This shortness of time is important when the shutting down of a packaging line is involved.

The mechanism by means of which the plunger control and actuating assembly 11 is adjustably supported and driven in synchronism with container feeding and advancing mechanism 7 will now be described.

The collar 97 is retained on Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings, a support column 1115' for the plunger control and actuating mechanism 119 extends up from a support base 106 mounted on the platform 15. A fixture 1137 having a laterally extending boss 108 is secured to the top of the column 165. The boss 1% has a vertical opening therein which is aligned with an opening in a boss 1141 projecting from the support base 1%. An elevating screw 111 is supported by the bosses 1118 and 110.

The bottom end of the screw 111 is turned down as indicated at 112 (FIG. 7) so as to rotatably fit into the hole provided therefor in the boss 111). At the upper end the screw 111 has a turned down portion 113 which fits and turns within a bearing sleeve 114 (FIG. 7) pressfitted in the vertical opening in the boss 1118. A hand wheel 115 having a bottom hub 116 sets over the upper end of the screw 111 and is secured thereto by means of a pin 117 (FIG. 7) which extends through the hub 116 and through the upper end of the screw 111. Thus, the screw 111 is thus supported for rotation on its upper and lower ends without coaxial movement.

The plunger control and actuating mechanism 10 has provided on the rear side thereof a support clamp 11% (FIG. 2) having two projecting ears 12tl12t which may be drawn together by screws 119 so as to cause the clamp 118 to grip the column over which the clamp 118 slidably fits. The clamp fixture 118 is provided with a laterally projecting boss 121 having a threaded vertical bore provided therein for threadedly receiving the screw 111. It will be seen that when the clamp 118 is released so as to be slidable on the column 165, the hand wheel may be used to turn the screw and bring about a raising or lowering of the plunger control and actuating mechanism 11? on the column 1115. After the mechanism is adjusted to the proper height with respect to the conveyor 11, then the clamp 118 is drawn up and set by tightening the screws 119 and drawing up the cars 1213.

The means by which the plunger control and actuating mechanism It) is driven from the drive shaft 61 (FIG. 3) will now be described. The articulated drive mechanism for transmitting power from the shaft 61 up to the plunger control and actuating assembly 11 includes two links 122 and 123 (FIG. 2) which are so hinged and connected as to form an articulated joint. The link 122 has a housing 12 (FIG. '6) which the shaft 61 enters at the bottom end. The shaft 61 passes through bearing inserts 125-125 fitted in registering journal openings provided therefor in opposite sides of the housing 124. A collar 126 is keyed to the shaft 61 and a sprocket 127 is mounted on the collar 126. At its upper end, the housing 124 has another pair of journal openings in which are mounted'bearing sleeve inserts 123 and 131). A short shaft 131 extends through the journal sleeves 123 and and projects through the link 123 as will be described. A collar 132 is keyed to the shaft 131 on the interior of the housing 124 and a sprocket wheel 133 is keyed onto the collar. A chain 134- runs over the sprockets 127 and 133 whereby the latter is driven by the former.

It is desirable to provide a chain tightener for the chain 134 and this may be in the form of a roller 135 supported on a pin 136 extending through a pair of ears 137 and 138 integrally formed on a sleeve member 140 keyed or otherwise secured on a support shaft 141. The shaft 141 at one end projects through a journal opening formed in the side wall of the casing 124 and has a squared off end 142 (FIGS. 2 and 6) on which a wrench may be used. The other end of the shaft 124 has a reduced diameter and projects through a registering opening provided in that side of the casing 124 with the outer end being threaded for receiving a nut 143 and lock washer 144. It will be seen that by loosening the nut 1 53 a wrench may be used on the squared end 1-12 so as to turn the fixture 140 and thus tighten or press the idler roller 135 against the outside of the chain 134.

The end of the shaft 131 that projects from the casing 124 extends through the lower end of the casing 145 of the upper arm or link 123 as shown in FIG. 6. The bearing sleeve insert 131) projects into the adjacent journal opening of this housing 145 while the registering journal opening is provided with a bearing sleeve insert 146. A collar 147 is splined or keyed to the shaft 131 and carries thereon a sprocket wheel 148. At the upper end of the housing a shaft 159 is journaled in bearing sleeve inserts 151 and 152 set in journal openings provided therefor in the housing 145. The shaft 150 has a collar 153 keyed thereto on which a sprocket 154 is secured. A chain 155 runs over the sprocket wheels 148 and 154. The link or arm 123 may be provided with a belt tightener as described for the link or arm 122.

It will be seen that the shaft 61 drives the sprocket wheel 127 and serves as a power input to the articulated drive mechanism 8. The sprocket 127 drives the sprocket 133 which in turn drives the sprocket 148 since the latter two sprockets are mounted on the shaft 131. The sprocket 148 drives the sprocket 154 and then the shaft. 159 on which it is mounted. The shaft 159 serves as the power input shaft for the plunger control and actuating mechanism 16.

The end of the shaft 151 which projects from the arm 123 projects into a gear case 161) forming part of the mechanism 10, through a journal opening in a hub 161 (FIG. 6) integrally formed on the side of the casing 16%. A hearing sleeve insert 162 fits in the opening and serves as a journal sleeve for the shaft 151 An O-ring seal 163 is set in a groove in the end of the hub 161. The shaft 150 projects through the opposite side of the casing 161 as shown in FIG. 7 where it is supported in an integrally formed bearing or journal hub 164 provided with a hearing sleeve insert 165. The counterbored or recessed end of the hub 164 is provided with an O-ring seal 166.

On the interior of the casing 160 a worm 167 is mounted on a shaft 150 and is secured in place thereon by means of a pin 168. The right end of the worm 167 (as viewed in FIG. 7) abuts against the inner flanged end or side of the bearing sleeve insert 165, thus preventing shifting of the shaft 150 to the right within the gear casing 160. At the left end of the worm 167 a collar 170 is secured on the shaft 156 by means of the set screw 171. The collar 170 is pushed up against the inner flange formed on the side of the bearing sleeve insert 162 and then the set screw 171 is tightened down. It will be seen that this arrangement prevents the shaft from coaxially shifting either to the left or right within the gear casing 16% and also prevents coaxial shifting of the worm 167.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the worm 167 serves to drive a Worm gear 172 which is secured and keyed onto the reduced diameter 173 of a hollow or tubular shaft 174. The key securing the worm 172 on the end portion 173 is indicated at 175. Longitudinal positioning of the worm 172 is provided by the set screw 176.

The shaft 174 is supported and turns within a pair of sleeve bearing insents 177177 projecting in from the opposite ends of an axle housing 178 integrally extending from the side of the gear casing 165 The space between the juxtaposed ends of the bearing sleeves 177 serves as an annular recess 18 for lubricant which may be introduced through the fitting 181. The hollow shaft 174 is provided with an aperture 182 through which lubricant may also enter into an annular groove 133 formed on the inside of the shaft 174. By this means lubricant may be provided for the rotation of the hollow shaft 174 on a stationary axle or shaft 184.

At its right end as viewed in FIG. 8, the shaft 184 is provided with a reduced diameter portion 185 which serves as an axle for the tubular extension 173. At its left-hand end the shaft 184 projects beyond the adjacent end of the tubular shaft 174 and provides a projection 1&6 on which a crank arm 187 may be secured by means of a pin 188.

At its left end as viewed in FIG. 8, the hollow shaft .174 is provided with an annular flange 1% which is provided with threaded holes for receiving a plurality of screws 191-191. A disk member 192 having an integrally formed hub formation 1% sets over the end of the shaft 174 and is secured to the flange 196 and shaft 174- by means of the screws 191. Thus, as the hollow shaft 174 rotates it carries with it the disk 192.

Secured on and :over the front of the disk 192 is a circular cover member 194, the rim of which is provided with a plurality of tapped holes for receiving attaching screws 125-195 inserted through counterbored holes therefor in the periphery of the disk 192. Accordingly, the disk 192 and the cover 194- together comprise a hollow circular casing which rotates as a unit with the tubular shaft 174.

On its front face the cover 19 5- is provided with a plurality (e.g. six) of integratlly formed hubs 126-426 which are arranged in a circle therearound (FIG. 10). The opening through each of the hubs 196 is provided from opposite ends with a pair of bearing sleeve inserts 197-197, with the annular spaces between the inner ends of each pair of sleeves serving as a lubricant recess for lubricant to be introduced through a fitting 198. On their inner ends, each of the hubs 1% is provided with a groove or recess 2133* for receiving an O-ring seal 2fa1 291. A short shaft 202 projects through each of the hubs 1% and is journaled therein. Each of the shafts 202 is provided on its inner end with a reduced end portion 2% and at the outer end with a reduced end pontion 204.

One end of a straight crank arm 295 fits over each of the end portions 203 and is secured thereto by means of a pin 2%. The other end of each of the straight crank members 2175 fits over a reduced end portion 237 formed on the end of a stub shaft 208 and is pinned thereto by means of the pin 210. The stub shafts 208 are journaled in bearing sleeve inserts 211 fitting within hubs 212 in tegrally formed on the outer ends of spokes 213 projecting from a center hub 214. The hub 214 has a bearing sleeve 215 by which the hub 214 is rotatably mounted on the stationary axle member 216. The axle 216 has an end portion 217 which fits in an opening in the bottom end of the stationary arm 187. A pin 218 connects the end portion 217 with the stationary arm 187.

The arm 187 and solid shaft 184 are held against rotation by means of a holding member 221 (FIG. 8) the bottom end of which is bifurcated so as to fit .Over the right-hand end 221 of the shaft 184 and serve as a clamp thereon. The bifurcated end 223 may be clamped tight on the shafit end 221 by means of the bolt 224. The holding member 220 is secured to the interior of the housing or casing 164} by means of bolt 225. By loosening the clamping bolt 224 the inner shaft 184 may be turned and thereby the angular position of the arm 187 may be adjusted as desired.

Each of the outer end pontions 204 of the shafts 262 carries the eye member 226 of an L-shaped bracket 227. The horizontal portions of the brackets 227 are provided with eye formations 228 in which are secured the upper ends of the stems 230 of the headspace plungers 9. The stems 239 are secured in the hubs 228 in an improved manner whereby they may be quickly removed and replaced as will be described below.

The manner in which the headspacer plungers 9 are controlled, and the actuating mechanism 10 is driven and operated, will be apparent from the above description of the mechanism in connection with FIGS. 8. Thus, the worm 167 is driven in synchronism with the container feed screw worm 83 as previously described. This worm 167 drives the worm gear 172 which produces rotation of the tubular shaft 174 on the stationary shaft 184. Rotation of the shaft 174 produces rotation of the hollow or enclosed circular housing composed of the disk 192 and the cover 194. By means of this movement, each of the hubs or journals 1% travels continuously through a circular path or orbit carrying with it the short shafts 202 journaled therein.

The wheel composed of the hub 214, spokes 213 and outer hubs 214 is caused to continuously turn within the circular housing on the stationary support axle 216. The rotation of this wheel is produced through the rotation of the circular housing and the interconnecting arms 2%. The net result is that while the stub shafts 252 and the brackets 227 carried thereon are continuously moving around in an orbit, they are always maintained in the same oriented (i.e. vertical) position in that orbit. That is, the brackets 227 are always hanging and maintained in the downward position as shown in FIG. 10. Likewise, the headspace plungers 9 carried on the outer ends of the brackets 227 are caused to travel in orbit but are always in their upright position by reason of the foregoing intermovement of the parts.

Reference may now be had to FIGS. 10 and 11 for a description of the headspacer plungers 9 and the manner in which they are supported on the brackets 227. of the hubs 228 is provided with a vertical opening for receiving the upper end 232 of the plunger stern 230. The front side of each end 232 is dished-out or cut-out at 233 into which recess fits the rounded end 234 of a clamping lever 235 having an operating handle portion 236. Each lever 235 is pivotally mounted on a pin 237 carried at the front of each collar 22%. Each collar 228 is provided with an opening or slot 229 (FIG. 10) in the front side thereof for receiving the levers 235. It will be seen that the rounded end 234 which engages the upper end of the recess 233 is not directly in line with the handle portion 236 but is slightly offset or eccentric with respect thereto. Furthermore, each recess 233 is so formed in relationship with the contour of the end 234 that when the lever 235 is in the position shown in FIG. 11 the parts are wedged together. In other words, to bring the stem 23d up to the position shown where the shoulder formed between the full diameter portion and the reduced diameter portion 232 engages the bottom side of the collar 22%, it is necessary to move the lever 235 over-center as it were so that it is firmly held in place.

However, when it is desired to remove one of the headspacer plungers 9 it is merely necessary to strike the handles 236 gently from the underside, as with a hammer, and this will release each lever 235 and allow it to be turned upwardly so that the reduced diameter portion 232 of each stem 23%} may be withdrawn from the collar 228. The reinsert or substitute another plunger 9, it is merely necessary to insert the upper end 232 into the collar 223 while the lever 235 is held so that the nose portion 234 engages the recess or dished-out portion 233*. The plunger 9 can be moved upwardly by hand almost to its final vertical position, but one or two light blows on the top of the outer end of the handle 236 will wedge the end portion 232 tightly into position within the hub 223 with the shoulder at the top of the full diameter portion of the stem 23% wedged up against the bottom of the collar 22%.

The plunger portions 231 of each headspace plunger 9 may be of known construction. As shown in FIG. ll the bottom end of the plunger stem 23% is provided with a reduced diameter threaded portion 24%) onto which is screwed a metal block or insert 241 which is cylindrical in shape and provided with a circumferential groove 242. A washer or disk 243 fits between the top of the member 241 and the adjacent shoulder formed on the stem 23%. A plunger member 24-4 formed of rubber or other resilient material is fitted over the support member 241. It will be seen that the washer 243 serves as a support or back-up for this resilient portion 243.

If desired, each of the arms 227 may serve to support the pair of plungers rather than just a single plunger. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 12 wherein a pair of headspacer plungers 9 are shown supported from the outer ends of a yolk member 245. The yoke member Each I at its outer ends has collars 246--246 which may correspond in construction and formation to the collars 22%. Likewise, each of the plungers 9 may be secured in its collar 246 in the same manner in which each plunger 9 is supported in the collar 228 in FIG. 11. Likewise, the yoke 245 may be provided with a supporting stem 247 which corresponds to the upper end portion 232 of the stem 230 in FIG. 11. In this way each of the yokes 245 may be likewise supported for quick removal and replacement the same way that a single plunger is supported as described in connection with FIG. 11.

As containers are conveyed through the topping or headspacer machine they are resiliently held in against the worm or screw 40 by suitable means as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring to FIG. 2, the conveyor 11 is shown supported along opposite sides by inner and outer elongated angle members 259 and 251, respectively. A pair of vertical angle members 252 are supported from the outer angle member 255), one being adjacent the entrance end of the worm 4t} and the other (the one shown in FIG. 2) being located adjacent the discharge end of the worm or screw 40. An elongated rod 253 extends between the lower ends of the supports 252 and serves as a support on which a plurality of rocker arms 254 may be pivotally supported. Each of the arms 254 is shaped like an inverted L with the horizontal or curved portion carrying a container engaging strip 255. The front edges of four of these strips 255 are shown in plan view in FIG. 3. By having a plurality of the stnips it will be seen that if a jam up occurs at one point along the screw '40, it does not affect the Whole line of containers.

Each of the rocker arms 254 is held inwardly toward the conveyor by a tension spring 256, one end of which is attached to a fixed fitting 257 and the other end of which is hooked on to the arm intermediate its ends. Each of the rocker arms also carries an adjusting screw 258 having a jam nut 26% and a knurled knob 26ft. The screws 258 extend through a threaded hole in the arm and the inner end engages the side of the angle iron 251 which serves as a rigid stop.

It will be seen that by loosening the jam nut 25%), each screw 258 may be adjusted to limit the inner movement of its associated arm 254.

As indicated above, changes in setting may readily be made to accommodate difierent sizes of containers, depth of headspace, etc. The manner in which the height of the headspacer actuating and control mechanism It] may be accurately elevated or lowered by means of the elevating screw 111 has already been pointed out. By this adjustment, the machine can be set for containers of difierent heights and also accurately set for headspaces for any particular height of containers.

Another change that has to be made is when containers of different sizes, i.e. diameters, are used. Thus, if the mouths of these containers differ from those presentely being handled by the machine, the headspacer plunger units have to be removed and replaced by plungers or" proper size as described above in connection with FXGS. 11 and 12.

Suppose that the container diameter is changed so that they have to be handled by a different screw from that which is presently in the machine. In this case the screw is removed and replaced by the proper one as described. above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. However, with a different screw 38 in place, it will be only a rare coincidence that the screw is set properly so that it will operate in synchronism with the plunger driving and control mechanism it Accordingly, the tightening screws 74 (FIG. 4) will be loosened whereby the screw may be easily turned by hand without turning the shaft, and bring about the exact setting required for the screw. This can be done for example with a container in place directly under a headspacer plunger in its bottommost position. This setting having been made, the screws 74 are tightened and the machine is ready for operation.

if it is necessary not only to change the adjustment of the screw 83 as thus described, but also change the relative speed at which the screw 88 is driven with regard to speed with which the headspacer actuating and control mechanism It? is driven, then the gears 6'7 and 63 may he removed and replaced with different size gears to give the desired speed relationship.

The other setting which has to be made in changing from one diameter container to another is the positioning of the feed screw advancing mechanism 7 and guide rail 2530 (PEG. 2). As previously explained, the posi tioning of the mechanism 7 is easily accomplished simply by loosening the clamping screw 53 on one side and the corresponding clamping screw on the other side of the machine and then moving the mechanism 7 forward or backward depending upon the side of the container. When the correct position has been reached, the clamping screws are tightened.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the headspacer or topping machine described above in connection with the drawings, will fully accomplish all of the objectives and incorporates all of the advantages outlined above.

In operation, the conveyor ill will be moving from the right to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. Glass jars or other containers already filled will be entering from the right and leaving the headspacer machine at the left. As pointed out, the conveyor 11 may either be driven by the headspacer machine itself, or it may be separately driven as part of the filling line.

The container feeding and advancing screw 83 of the mechanism 7 will be turning but at a conveying speed slightly slower than the conveyor speed. That is, it the conveyor were to be stopped with the screw running, the screw would advance the containers at a speed slightly slower than the speed they are carried by the conveyor if the screw were not there. It was found that by means of this relationship the conveyor is always holding the containers forwardly against the ribbon or screw. Otherwise stated, the screw 88 is always holding each of the containers back from going as fast as the conveyor it vould ordinarily carry it. It will be understood that this difference in speed between the screw 88 and the conveyor it is permissible since the containers can slide slightly at the bottom on the conveyor.

it will be seen that with the foregoing speed relationship between the screw 88 and the conveyor ill, it is not necessary that a container fit snugly in between adjacent turns or flights of the screw 88. In fact, it is undesirable to have a close fit. Since the screw 88 is merely holding the containers down to a definite speed which is only slightly below the normal speed imparted by the conveyor 11, containers of various sizes may be handled by the screw as long as they will fit easily between the adjacent flights without binding.

However, the screw 88 is turning at a speed which is synchronized with the speed at which the headspacer plunger driving and control mechanism 16 is being driven. The latter will have been adjusted to the proper elevation so that the headspacer plungers 9 will enter the top of each container to the proper degree or depth as illustrated for example in FIG. in which the bottom-most headspacer plunger is shown in its deepest position in the mouth of the container. As the containers move underneath the headspacer plungers, the plungers continuously enter and leave each of the containers, the plungers always being maintained in their downturned and vertical direction.

Since certain changes and modifications may be made in the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings and described in connection therewith, and since other embodiments of the invention may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, all matter described above or shown in 12 the accompanying drawings is intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

l. in a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers conveyed in a straight line therethrough from entrance side to discharge side on a container-bottom supporting conveyor and under a headspacc plunger mechanism, a container feed and control screw mounted for rotation on its longitudinal axis over said conveyor and parallel thereto, means for adjustably mounting said screw in said relationship to said conveyor including, bracket means disposed on opposite sides of said machine, and a pair of parallel support links of equal length associated with each of said bracket means, the links in each set being pivotally attached at one pair of their corresponding ends to the associated bracket means and being pivotally supported on said machine at their opposite ends.

2. in a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers conveyed in a straight line therethrough from entrance side to discharge side on a container-bottom supporting conveyor and under a headspace plunger mechanism, a container feed and control screw mounted for rotation on its longitudinal axis over said conveyor and parallel thereto, means for adjustably mounting said screw in said relationship to said conveyor comprising, a rigid elongated support member having bearing means adjacent its opposite ends for supporting the opposite ends of said screw, a bracket attached adjacent to each end of said support member and extending transversely to said axis of said screw, 21 pair of spaced, parallel support links of equal length associated with each of said brackets, the links of each pair being pivotally attached at one pair of the corresponding ends to the associated bracket and being pivotally supported on said machine at their opposite corresponding ends, the centers of corresponding pivotal attachments of said links on opposite sides of said machine being coaxially aligned, and at least one tie rod extending from one side of said machine to the other and interconnecting one link of one pair with the corresponding link of the other pair.

3. The construction called for in claim 2 wherein one corresponding link in each of said pairs is a bell crank link, and wherein said tie rod interconnects the free ends of said bell crank links.

4. in a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers conveyed in a straight line therethrough from entrance side to discharge side on a container-bottom supporting conveyor and under a headspace plunger mechanism, in combination, a container feed and control screw mounted for rotation on its longitudinal axis over said conveyor and parallel thereto, a rigid elongated support member having bearing means adjacent its opposite ends for supporting the opposite ends of said screw, a support bracket attached to each end of said support member and extending transversely to said screw, a pair of spaced parallel support links of equal length for each of said brackets, the upper ends of each pair of links being pivotally attached to the associated bracket and the lower ends being pivotally attached to a rigid part of said machine, driving means for said screw including a drive shaft extending parallel to said screw and supported for movement with said rigid elongated sprocket member, a sprocket on said drive shaft, a drive sprocket mounted on said machine underneath said drive shaft, and a chain for driving said first sprocket from said drive sprocket, the distance between the axis of said drive shaft and the center of said drive sprocket equaling the length of said support links, whereby said screw, support mem ber therefor, and said drive shaft may be adjustably shifted as a unit toward and away from said conveyor without having to adjust the length of said chain.

5. The combination called for in claim 4 wherein one corresponding link in each of said pairsof support links is in the form of a bell crank, and wherein a tie rod extends between the free ends of said bell crank links.

6. In a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers conveyed in a straight line therethrough from the entrance to the discharge side thereof on a container-bottom supporting conveyor, in combination: a container feed and control screw mechanism and mounting means therefor comprising, a container feed and control screw mounted for rotation on its longitudinal axis over said conveyor and parallel thereto, a rigid elongated support member having bearing means adjacent its opposite ends for supporting the opposite ends of said screw, a support bracket attached to each end of said support member and extending transversely to said screw, a pair of spaced parallel support links of equal length. for each of said brackets, the upper ends of each pair of links being pivotally attached to the associated bracket and the lower ends being pivotally attached to a rigid part of said machine, driving means for said screw including a drive shaft extending parallel to said screw and supported for movement with said rigid elongated support member, a sprocket on said drive shaft, a drive sprocket mounted on said machine underneath said drive shaft, and a chain for driving said first sprocket from said drive sprocket, the distance between the axis of said drive shaft and the center of said drive sprocket equaling the length of said support links, whereby said screw, support member therefor, and said drive shaft may be adjustably shifted as a unit toward and away from said conveyor without having to adjust the length of said chain; a headspace plunger control and actuating assembly having a power input connection, and having means for adjustably supporting said assembly at different elevations over said conveyor; and articulated power transmitting means coupled at one end in driving relationship with said drive shaft of said container feed and control screw mechanism and coupled at its other end to said power input connection of said headspace plunger control and activating assembly.

7. In a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers, a container feed and control screw mechanism comprising, a screw the opposite ends of which have coaxial holes therein, a rigid support member for said screw having bearing means at opposite ends between which said screw may be supported, a shaft rotatably journaled in one of said bearing means and having a projecting portion adapted to enter the coaxial hole in the adjacent end of said screw, a collar secured on said shaft in between said one bearing means and said adjacent end of said screw, tongue and groove means interconnecting said collar and said adjacent end of said screw whereby they rotate together, a removable shaft rotatably journaled in the other bearing means with a projecting portion adapted to entering the coaxial hole in the adjacent end of said screw, a removable collar removably mounted on said removable shaft in between said other bearing means and the adjacent end of said screw, and tongue and groove means interconnecting said removable collar and the adjacent end of said screw 14 for co-rotation, said second collar being removable after first removing said second shaft thereby permitting said screw to be coaxially shifted toward said other bearing means whereby it may be freed from said first shaft and first collar and removed.

8. For use on a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers, a headspace plunger control and actuating assembly comprising, a stationary axle, an arm depending from the front end of said axle, a disk rotatably mounted on said axle back of said arm, a circular cover mounted on said disk with the front wall of said cover being spaced therefrom, a second axle projecting from said arm, parallel to and displaced from said first axle, an inner wheel mounted on said second axle within said cover, a plurality of sleeve bearings mounted in equi-spaced circular and concentric arrangement on the front of said cover, a crank for each of said bearings having an axle portion journaled in said bearing, an inner arm portion the end of which is pivotably connected to the periphery of said inner wheel and an outer bracket portion having plunger support means on the outer end thereof, wherein said first axle extends rearwardly into a gear case, said disk is mounted on the front end of a sleeve rotatably mounted over said axle, said sleeve is in turn rotatable within and supported by an axle housing projecting forwardly from said gear case, a worm gear is secured onto the end of said sleeve in said gear case, and a worm is supported in said gear case in driving engagement with said worm gear.

9. The assembly as called for in claim 8 wherein gear case contains clamping means for holding said first axle stationary and allowing adjustment thereof.

10. In a headspacer machine for creating headspaces in filled containers, means for supporting headspace plungers whereby the same may be quickly installed and removed, comprising an eye having bore extending therethrough, said eye having a slot opening in one side there extending in the same direction as said bore, a clamping lever pivotally mounted in each of said slots on a transverse pin, said lever having a nose portion which projects into said bore and handle which projects out of said eye, a plunger support stem having reduced diameter end portion which fits within said bore and ends at a shoulder which engages the face of said eye, said reduced diameter end portion having a recess in the side thereof in which said nose portion of said lever is operable whereby said stem portion may be firmly clamped in said eye with said shoulder engaging said face thereof, and whereby on actuation of said lever said stem may be readily released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.15,460 Geyer Sept. 26, 1922 1,307,248 Pluck June 17, 1919 1,341,487 Worme et al May 25, 1920 1,702,111 Flook Feb. 12, 1929 2,768,656 Day et a1 Oct. 30, 1956 2,859,858 Stover Nov. 11, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Carl Hausen et a1.,

It is hereby certified that error ap ent requiring correction and that the sai corrected below.

pears in the above numbered patd Letters Patent should read as Celumn 9 line 48, for "The" read To column 1O line 56, for "presentely" read presently column 12, line 63 for sprocket" read support Signed and sealed this 8th day of October 1963.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWIN Lc REYNOLDS ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer Acting" Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A HEADSPACER MACHINE FOR CREATING HEADSPACES IN FILLED CONTAINERS CONVEYED IN A STRAIGHT LINE THERETHROUGH FROM ENTRANCE SIDE TO DISCHARGE SIDE ON A CONTAINER-BOTTOM SUPPORTING CONVEYOR AND UNDER A HEADSPACE PLUNGER MECHANISM, A CONTAINER FEED AND CONTROL SCREW MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS OVER SAID CONVEYOR AND PARALLEL THERETO, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING SAID SCREW IN SAID RELATIONSHIP TO SAID CONVEYOR INCLUDING, BRACKET MEANS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID MACHINE, AND A PAIR OF PARALLEL SUPPORT LINKS OF EQUAL LENGTH ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF SAID BRACKET MEANS, THE LINKS IN EACH SET BEING PIVOTALLY ATTACHED AT ONE PAIR OF THEIR CORRESPONDING ENDS TO THE ASSOCIATED BRACKET MEANS AND BEING PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID MACHINE AT THEIR OPPOSITE ENDS. 